News Release

Monday, September 4, 2000

Juvenile Robbery Suspect Caught

Hollywood: On August 4, 2000, at approximately 7:15 a.m., a male Asian drove to his job at the Starbucks coffee house located on the northeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. As he attempted to exit his car, a male African-American juvenile approached him with what he claimed was a gun in his pockets (the gun later turned out to be a lead pipe). The juvenile subject robbed the victim of his credit cards, money and car keys and demanded that the victim go into the Starbucks, retrieve $300.00 in cash and return to the vehicle.

The victim went into the Starbucks, where he called the police. Hollywood patrol officers arrived shortly thereafter; however, the suspect fled southbound on La Brea Avenue from Sunset Boulevard toward Santa Monica Boulevard. A pursuit ensued, and the subject drove erratically and at a high rate of speed southbound on La Brea Avenue. As the subject reached Santa Monica Boulevard, he attempted to turn left into a mall parking lot on the northeast corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. Unfortunately, as he turned left, several pedestrians were in the way and a female Caucasian, approximately 60 years of age, was struck by the subject's vehicle as she attempted to get out of harms way.

The juvenile subject jumped out of the vehicle and began to flee through a nearby alley off of Santa Monica Boulevard as police officers continued to pursue. The subject was caught and arrested a short time later without any further incidents. The subject faces charges of Robbery, Grand Theft Auto, Felony Hit and Run and Felony Evading.

The traffic collision victim was transported to Cedar Sinai Hospital. No further information was available regarding her condition at the time this press release was prepared.

Detectives from Hollywood Operations Support Division are handling this investigation.